MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 294, 21 May 1875, Page 3

MAGISTRATES’ COURTS.

CHRISTCHURCH. Friday, May 21. (Before C. L. Mellish, Esq., R.M.) Drunk and Disorerlt. Margaret Guerin was fined 20s, Henry Woolridge, arrested for drunkenness, and also charged with damaging Government property in the lock-up, was fined 5s for being drunk, and ordered to pay 20s damage. Drunk and Using Obscene Language. —Alexander Smith, arrested for being drunk and using obscene language in Colombo street, was fined 20s. Larceny. —WilliamLitchfieldand William Gable were charged with stealing two parcels containing ladies’ apparel and a pair of sheets. Detective Arthur deposed to the arrest of the prisoners in Oxford terrace the previous day on this charge. They said they had not taken the parcels. Afterwards got the parcels produced from Mr Brandt. H. Brandt, laborer residing in Lyttelton, stated that on the afternoon of the previous day he went to the Golden Age Hotel. He had two parcels with him containing two sheets and ladies’ wearing apparel. He laid the parcels down on a chair in the back parlor of that hotel. He went out of the room afterwards, and when he returned they were missing. Did not see the prisoners there. Afterwards when he went in search of the parcels he found them in possession of the prisoners. They Lad a parcel each under the arm. When he spoke to them they said they had bought them. With assistance he took the parcels from them. Did not know prisoners, and they had no right to the parcels. Valued the goods at about 30s. Henry Allen, landlord of the Golden Age Hotel, remembered the last witness complaining of having lost two parcels. Knew he had brought the parcels into the house. Saw both prisoners in the back parlor. When they came in he did not see any parcels with them. The prisoners said they saw the parcels in a chair at the hotel, and being under the influence of liquor had taken them, but intended leaving them at the depot. Chief detective Feast told the Bench that he had seen both of the prisoners during yesterday, aud they were both sober. A person in Court gave the prisoner Lichfield a very good character. He had been in his employ for some time, and he had always found him an honest, steady man, and was surprised when he heard of the present charge. His Worship said he had no doubt but that prisoners had taken the parcels with a felonious intent. It had been shown that they were sober at the time. They would each be sentenced to one month’s imprisonment with hard labor.

Joseph Wilben was charged with stealing a work-box, a leather box, bridle, boots, and trousers, from W. H. White, farmer, Halswell. Mounted-Constable Manson stated that he arrested the prisoner the previous day at the Selwyn In his swag he found the articles produced, which Mr White said belonged to him ; also the trousers and boots he had on at the present time. W. HWhite stated that prisoner had been in his employ, and was discharged some six weeks ago ; he (witness) had met with an accident, and had to stay in town, and when he returned home he learnt that prisoner had been there. He then missed the articles produced, which were found in prisoner’s possession. Sentenced to two months’ imprisonment with hard labor.